Discobelle has an mp3 of the new Kalle J single "Vingslag": https://www.discobelle.net/2007/05/21/kalle-j-vingslag-exclusive/

Bad Afro, in cooperation with National Danish Radio, will be releasing a vinyl-only live album from On Trial. Recorded at the Gutter Island festival last summer, the show features tracks mostly taken from the band's recent (and quite excellent) "Forever" album, as well the previously unreleased track "Pure evil" and a cover of "A house is not a motel" by Love. 500 copies only, out on June 25.

Recent Imperial Recordings signee Promise and the monster will release her debut EP "Antarktis" on June 13. Listen to samples: myspace.com/promiseandthemonster" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/promiseandthemonster

A West Side Fabrication has confirmed that they will release a new single from Jupither in early June entitled "Salvation". Look for the band's new full-length to follow sometime in September.

Songs I Wish I Had Written is offering up the new single "Blue motorbike" from moto Boy for free download: m/bluemotorbike.mp3" target=_blank>https://www.songsiwish.com/bluemotorbike.mp3
Their description: "magnificent operaesque voice accompanied by high lonely tones on a hard rock guitar and a steady beat to dance to all night long."

Swedish indiepop act Bonnie and Clyde has recorded a cover of their peers Penny Century (now Little Big Adventure) and posted the track for free download: mp3" target=_blank>https://www.littlebigadventure.se/happypeople.mp3

End of All is looking to tour the US in 2008 and could use some help: myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=107803375&blogID=266577021" target=_blank>https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=107803375&blogID=266577021

IAT faves Closer have enlisted Kim Wennerström of God Damn Trio as an additional live guitarist. The enhanced lineup will make their live debut at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 9 (12pm, Gibson stage).

This week's m/group/itsatrap">It's A Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Shout Out Louds
02. Bright Eyes
03. Feist
04. Bloc Party
05. Arctic monkeys
06. Björk
07. Radiohead
08. The Arcade Fire
09. Laakso
10. The Beatles

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Join us! Go here to learn more: m/help/" target=_blank>https://www.last.fm/help/

Danish rockers Wild Evil Entertainment Department will be heading to the UK for a few gigs:

05/25 - The Dirty Water Club, London
05/26 - Strummercamp 2007, manchester
05/26 - Lake of Stars, Liverpool
05/27 - Nice'n'Sleazy Festival, morecambe

Wasted Sounds will be releasing a new album from Umeå-based hardcore/crust/grind act Bingo this coming July. Listen to some tracks at myspace: myspace.com/bingoume" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/bingoume
In other Wasted Sounds news, keep an eye out for other new releases from bands like Sista Sekunden, Icos, Knugen Faller, Auktion, Sayyadina, Tysta mari and more. Sweden's best punk label? Yeah, I'd say so. Nice to see such a diversity of acts too.

Norwegian new-wave/80s revivalist hype act New Violators have a new demo track on myspace: myspace.com/newviolators" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/newviolators

my special guest on my radio show this week was Ola Frick of the moonbabies. Here's what we played:

01. Johndoe - Kjøtere
02. TALK 1
03. mixtapes & Cellmates - The better half of cynical boys
04. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
05. Breach - Lost crew
06. TALK 2
07. Silverbullit - Only gold
08. Lack - Primo Levi
09. Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline
10. Rockettothesky - Barrie for Billy macKenzie
11. TALK 3
12. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
13. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
14. moonbabies - War on sound
15. TALK 4
16. moonbabies - Cocobelle
17. TALK 5
18. moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom (comp version)
19. Björn Kleinhenz - Pocket of gold
20. TALK 6
21. Loney, Dear - Saturday waits
22. Revolvo - marmelade
23. TALK 7
24. Emerald Park - Open up
25. KVLR - Capitol city child
26. TALK 8
27. David & the Citizens - Are you in my blood?
28. TALK 9
29. David Åhlén - Wasted breaths
30. maia Hirasawa - Still June
31. TALK 10
32. moonbabies - Sun A.m. (outtake version)
33. TALK 11
34. moonbabies - Don't ya know?

Not only did Ola reveal that he used to be a member of the mercyful Fate fanclub, but it also looks like he'll be recording the next David & the Citizens record. Excellent!

Once again, as I watch the stacks of CDs on my desk grow taller and taller, I realize I need more people to help with record reviews. Think you're up for it? m/contact.php">Send me an email with either a sample review or links to other published writing you may have as well as a list of current musical favorites (Scandinavian or not, doesn't matter). As always, I'm particularly interested in people who tastes stretch beyond typical indie pop/rock.

MP3: The Bear Quartet - Old friends

It's been awhile since I've had an "Old friends" moment. It certainly helps that I've relocated myself far away from the Bay Area where I spent my oh-so formative teen years. Despite being the state capitol of Washington, Olympia is very much a small town so the chances of me running into old mates are minimal at best. Especially the ones who drifted in the direction I didn't want to go. I heard the inevitable bad news about one of those old friends this week, secondhand. It's a relief in a way; a conclusion that I think a lot of people were resigned to. Not that it makes it easier, better or anything else for that matter. I'm sorry that I let you become so scary to me. I wish I could've been a better friend.

The Bear Quartet - Old friends